Keys to Improving Our Communications

John W. Foster

Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan was considered by many to be the "Great Communicator." Michael Deaver was director of communications for the president up until 1985, and in a recent speech he gave some insight into the reasons his boss was so effective.

Mr. Deaver mentioned that in the last 16 years the communications industry has exploded with constant information 24 hours a day. It has been said that we are bombarded with more information in one day than our grandparents received in a lifetime.

Reagan's Three Keys

President Reagan used three keys in keeping the public informed of his plans and agenda. His first key was that you have to know who you are and what you stand for. If a person doesn't know where he (or she) stands, then the messages he speaks on become blurred and confused.

His second key was that since so much information is available, you have to focus on two or three simple messages. And then his third key was to repeat and repeat that message. You can't just say something once—the message has to be reinforced by being repeated.

In a sense, President Reagan followed some of the qualities that Jesus Christ used in communicating. Jesus knew who He was—the Son of God. He came with a simple message: "Repent and believe the gospel." He then repeated it in many different ways, but it was the same message. His message never became cluttered or confused.

A well-known preacher by the name of Herbert Armstrong also used these simple keys in communicating. He knew that God had called him to preach the gospel as a witness. He knew that Jesus Christ was our standard, and we must walk as Christ walked. Therefore, Mr. Armstrong had a couple of simple messages: "Remember the two trees—learn to give and not get." And he stressed the need to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God. He repeated these basic messages for decades, and never wavered in proclaiming them.

McCurry's Five Cs

During the same conference at which Michael Deaver spoke, another communicator spoke as well. Michael McCurry was former President Bill Clinton's press secretary from 1995 to 1998. He mentioned the difficulties that he had in carrying out messages from a boss who made it extremely strenuous. So, Mr. McCurry gave his "five Cs" to successful communication.

Credibility—Tell the truth. If you don't, then how can you be believed?

Candor—Be open, honest and admit error—not trying to justify everything.

Clarity—Assemble the facts and present them in a clear, concise manner.

Compassion—Avoid coming across as egocentric or "all-knowing."

Commitment—Be disciplined and stay the course to help the listener.

These five keys are important for all of us. They boil down to being humble. A person who exhibits humility will be heard and believed. How well are we doing? How much do we have to improve in our honesty and in our candor? How well are we communicating as individuals and as a Church? May we enrich and uplift our listeners as we improve our communications process! UN